Dive valve quick release connector

ABSTRACT

A dive valve quick release connector includes a flat plate having a flat arm extending upwardly therefrom. A mechanism on the flat plate is for securing the flat plate to a buoyancy compensator waist strap. A mechanism on the flat arm of the flat plate is for removably attaching a valve block thereto. The valve block is connected to: a first low pressure hose from a main scuba tank via a one way check valve, a second low pressure hose from an emergency bailout scuba tank, a knob assembly, a third low pressure hose to a dive mask, and a dry suit inflator hose.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/240,215, filed on Sep. 6, 2009, In the United States Patent &Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mounting bracket, and moreparticularly, a quick release connector.

The quick release connector offers divers a way to effortlessly separatetheir gear for washing and storage. The present invention can assistrecreational and professional divers in quickly breaking down their gearin a timely fashion with little strain.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Divers cannot break down their dive gear with the dive valve clampedonto the bouncy compensator. Leaving the items attached may make thecleaning and packing of the regulators and bouncy compensator awkwardand heavy. Standard methods of separating the diving equipment may betime consuming. A quick and efficient method for breaking down divingequipment is needed.

Numerous innovations for diving equipment have been provided in theprior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may besuitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address,however, they differ from the present invention.

A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,389. Issued on Sep. 19, 1978, toBohmrich et al. teaches a diver's buoyancy compensator that employs aconstant volume chamber which is controllably pressurized with air fromthe diver's SCUBA tank, and water is admitted to or emitted from thetank by one or the other of two manually operated valves.

A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,554, Issued on Oct. 25, 1988, toCourtney teaches a backpack for use with scuba gear wherein the backpackincludes a rigid housing substantially enclosing an air tank, aninterior chamber vented to the surrounding water and formed by the rigidhousing for receiving an inflatable buoyancy compensator and a mountingfor receiving and securing an adjustable amount of retrievable ballast.The rigid backpack provides a particularly streamlined configuration forthe scuba gear, greater puncture resistance for the buoyancy compensatorand greater variation in the amount of ballast carried by the diver. Thebackpack is preferably configured to better support the weight of thescuba gear upon the diver with a trim bladder separately inflatable bythe diver and arranged between the backpack and the diver for allowingthe diver to adjust for variations in slack, particularly at differentdiving depths. A power inflator device for the scuba gear preferablyincludes a single control device for sequentially and adjustablypressurizing a buoyancy compensator, a life vest and/or an inflatabledevice or transport raft attached to the air tank, a separate controldevice being provided for permitting the diver to pressurize the trimbladder independently of the buoyancy compensator. An emergency markingdevice also forms a portion of the scuba gear of the invention.

A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,167, Issued on Oct. 31, 1989, toMcNemar teaches a retention system particularly adapted to be used bydivers which includes at least one lanyard having first and second ends,a first clip having a hook for securing thereon an implement, such as adive light, slate, knife, etc., a slidable fastener associated with thefirst clip for sliding movement between opened and closed positions inthe latter of which the implement can not be inadvertently dislodgedfrom the hook, a second clip in the form of a loop having opposite endsbetween which is sandwiched an edge of a garment, such as a pocket edgeof buoyancy control device (BCD), at least one fastener spanning theends of the second clip and penetrating the garment edge to create agenerally permanent connection between the second clip and the BCDpocket, and a releasable connector between the second clip and thesecond end of the lanyard whereby the implement is positively andpermanently secured to the BCD and can be retained in the pocket thereofyet by quickly manually releasing the releasable connector, theimplement can be quickly removed from (or reconnected to) the secondclip.

A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,672, Issued on Apr. 27, 1993, toStinton teaches a diver's weight assembly for attaching diver's weightsto a belt that includes one or more weight packs and an attachment andquick release mechanism for attaching each weight pack to a belt. Theattachment and release mechanism includes a fastener assembly releasablysecuring the weight pack to the belt, and a release device for releasingthe fastener assembly. The release device has a handle for operating therelease device, and the handle is secured to the weight pack so that theweight pack can be pulled away from the body via the handle oncereleased.

A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,387, Issued on Dec. 21, 1993, toMurray teaches a harness connector for securing a first tank to a secondtank, for example for fastening an auxiliary air tank to a main air tankin scuba diving applications. The connector comprises a receiving memberadapted to be secured to the first tank by a pair of tank clamps, and anattachment member adapted to be secured to the second tank by anotherpair of tank clamps. The receiving member and attachment member areformed so as to mate with one another, such as an attachment member witha T-shaped cross section mating with a receiving member with a U-shapedcross section. The harness connector further comprises locking means forselectively locking and unlocking the attachment member to and from thereceiving member, such as a quick release type connector pin.

A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,886, Issued on Feb. 21, 1995, toLawner et al. teaches an improved quick disconnect device and consistsof a female bracket mountable to one scuba tank and a male bracketmountable to another scuba tank. The male bracket can engage with thefemale bracket and be retained thereto. A mechanism is for allowing themale bracket to be disengaged from the female bracket when the mechanismis removed therefrom.

A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,559, Issued on Apr. 9, 1996, toHermansen teaches a safety valve for a buoyancy compensator that has aninlet for connection to one end of an inflation hose for supplying gasto the buoyancy compensator, an outlet for connection to a gas inlet ofthe buoyancy compensator, and a passageway connecting the inlet to theoutlet. A vent chamber has an orifice communicating with the passagewayfor allowing gas to vent through the orifice and out via vent outlets inthe chamber. A valve member is pivotally mounted in the chamber formovement between a position closing the orifice and a pivoted positionat an angle to the orifice. A pull cable extending through the inflationhose is directly coupled to the valve member so that pulling on the pullcable will tilt the valve member into the pivoted, open position.

AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,485, Issued on May 28, 1996, toHermansen teaches a power inflator housing which has a pressurized gasinlet for connection to a gas supply hose, an inflation outlet forconnection to a buoyancy compensator inflation hose, a passagewayconnecting the gas inlet to the inflation outlet, and a valve actuatingstem extending through part of the passageway into the gas inlet forselectively actuating a control valve at the outlet end of a gas supplyhose coupled to the gas inlet. A manually operable button on the housingis linked to the stem for selectively urging the stem outwardly into anoperative position to open the hose control valve. The stem is biasedtowards an inoperative, retracted position.

A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,282, Issued on Apr. 15, 1997, toStinton teaches a buoyancy compensator assembly that includes aninflatable bladder for supporting on a diver's back. Inflation of thebladder and venting of the bladder are controlled from a control unitcarried at the front of the diver. The bladder has a passagewayextending under a portion of the bladder for guiding hoses from theoutside of the bladder at the rear of the diver towards the control unitat the front of the diver. A guide sleeve extends from the bladder overthe diver's shoulder for holding hoses close to the diver's body.

A TENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,504, Issued on Apr. 7, 1998, toWalters teaches a variable overpressure relief valve for a buoyancycompensator including an open hole base member for securement to abuoyancy compensator and a pair of spring biased floating disks in thebase member sealing the hole and biased apart and held in place by avented cover secured to the base member and having an adjustment buttonfor changing the spring bias separating the floating disks.

AN ELEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,836, Issued on Mar. 30, 1999,to Back teaches a quickly assembled and disassembled mounting bracketassembly for cylindrical objects, such as pressurized gas (e.g., oxygen)tanks. The bracket assembly has two interconnecting parts: a bracketsection and a base plate. The bracket section is slidable within thebase plate, similar to a rail system. The two interconnecting piecesslidably interlock via spaced-apart T-shaped connectors disposed ondistal side portions thereof. Assembly movement is minimal so that thetwo pieces can be joined quickly. Limiting stops provide matingalignment. Once in the aligned position, one or more locking detent pinsare inserted through alignment holes disposed in the mating sections tosecure the two parts in place.

A TWELFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,640, Issued on Jun. 22, 1999, toBortner teaches a weight drop pocket for a SCUBA diver comprising a flapclosed pocket for containing a weight with a stiffener secured to thepocket and having an opening through which a projection from a matingelement secured to a skin diver apparatus may be inserted with thepocket and mating element retained in a preselected orientation and heldin place by a spring biased rod inserted through the projection therebylocking it to the mating element until the rod is withdrawn by a forcewhich overcomes the spring bias.

A THIRTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,213, Issued on Sep. 19, 2000,to Stinton teaches a diver's buoyancy control device (BCD) thatcomprises a jacket configured to be worn by a diver. The jacket includesa back portion for overlying a diver's back and a pair of side portionsconnected to the back portion for overlying the diver's chest. A scubatank can be releasably connected to the back portion of the jacket. Aninflatable bladder is connected to the back portion of the jacket and amechanism is provided for selectively inflating and deflating thebladder with a pressurized gas from the scuba tank. The base of ashoulder yoke that includes a pair of shoulder straps is adjustablyconnected to the back portion of the jacket at a plurality ofpreselected vertical positions for permitting easy and rapid sizeadjustment. A waist belt has a pair of segments each of which has a rearend that is attached to a corresponding location on a corresponding sideof the back portion of the jacket. A first mechanism is provided forreleasably coupling a pair of mating forward ends of the waist beltsegments. A pair of shoulder strap extensions are provided, each ofwhich has a lower end connected to a corresponding waist belt segment. Asecond mechanism is provided for releasably coupling an upper end ofeach shoulder strap extension to a corresponding shoulder strap of theshoulder yoke. The waist belt is provided with a quick release weightsystem to enable emergency ascent. The bladder may have extra buoyancycells connected to an outer wing of each side portion of the jacket forincreased surface flotation capability. Stay straps connected to thewaist belt may connect to the wings to counter their buoyant force.

A FOURTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,524, Issued on Dec. 5, 2000,to Legler et al. teaches a lock to releasably secure a first member to asecond member. The lock has two brackets, one attached to the firstmember and the other attached to the second member. The first is alocking slotted bracket and the second is a locking pin bracket. Thelocking pin bracket has pins with heads that extend outwardly from thelocking pin bracket. The locking slotted bracket has a T-shape toreceive the pins, and a lock lever that snaps into a locking positionbetween the pin heads in the slot to hold the pins in the slot. Theheads can be removed by deflecting the lock lever and sliding the headsof the pins out of the T-shaped slot. The lock lever is biased andflexible so that it rests in a locked condition. For longer or heavierstructures or where position is important, a slotted bracket with akeyhole-shaped slot may be provided. The keyhole-shaped slot receives ahead of a pin which will slide into a wider slot and into an undercutwhere it is retained.

A FIFTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2005/0103959,Published on May 19, 2005, to Lee teaches two aluminum brackets for thepurpose of better assisting the SCUBA diver with mounting the SCUBA tankand accessories to the BCD (buoyancy compensating device) for SCUBAdiving. The BCD is a harness the diver wears to carry the SCUBA tank andaccessories that provides proper buoyancy in the water. One bracket isattached to the SCUBA tank. The second bracket is attached to the BCD.They are then interconnected by means of the triangle shaped male andfemale Dovetail design feature and locked in place with Detent pins. Thetwo brackets stay attached individually to their respective articles,with exception for periods of maintenance. The invention reduces thedivers' pre dive set up time and levels of stress ensuring a more secureand balanced dive.

A SIXTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2006/0175492,Published on Aug. 10, 2006, to Cooper teaches a two piece mountingsystem. For a marine application, as, for example, mounting a pair ofair tanks together, a first piece is attached to one tank and a secondpiece is attached to the other tank. A pair of cooperatively dimensionedcavities and protrusions on the front of both pieces permit easy andrapid mounting of the first piece to the second piece. A built-in springloaded, indexing plunger mechanism automatically locks the two piecestogether at an automatically predetermined positioned dictated by thelength of one protrusion and a built-in stop in a cavity. Quickdismounting is permitted by simply displacing the handle on the plungermechanism. A number of other applications, including mounting a fireextinguisher to a wall, is discussed.

A SEVENTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 7,465,125, Issued on Dec. 16, 2008,to Carmichael teaches a girth adjustable waist belt that easily convertsto a diver's buoyancy compensator with/without integrated weight systemand can also easily convert to a utility backpack and belt in which onesingle size will fit the general population. The mega-adjustable featurealso provides secure yet expandable lower back and abdominal supportoffering physical protection in stressful work conditions. A dive beltis also provided for use by divers during underwater activities, such asscuba diving. The belt comprises a body member and a rapid releaseweight system which is quickly removal while the belt remains in placeon the diver. The belt can also provide for horizontally mountedsupplemental air supply system, for use in the event a main air supplyis lost or not wanted. In all embodiments, an elastic depth compensatorcan be built into the belt, insuring a snug fit of the belt at anydepth. The belt has a plurality of D-rings for convenient equipmentmanagement. A quick release tow clip is attached to the belt and may beused in conjunction with a surface air supply system for pulling thesurface air supply system.

AN EIGHTEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2009/0044742,Published on Feb. 19, 2009, to Adams teaches an apparatus for underwaterpropulsion. The apparatus may include a hydrofoil, a buoyancycompensator connected to the hydrofoil, a tank containing air, and acontroller regulating the passage of air from the tank into the buoyancycompensator. The controller may also regulate the escape of air from thebuoyancy compensator. By positioning the hydrofoil underwater andalternating between positive and negative angles of attack, a diver maygenerate forward propulsion by manipulating the controller tocorrespondingly alternate the buoyant force produced by the buoyancycompensator between levels below and above neutral buoyancy.

A NINETEENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2009/0056718,Published on Mar. 5, 2009, to Lindgren teaches a breathing apparatus forproviding pressurized air to a swimmer. The breathing apparatus is basedon a geometrically shaped structure that provides superior floatationcharacteristics in all sea conditions. The breathing apparatus includesa spherical shaped buoyant housing that is mounted above a halfspherical shaped submersible housing. The buoyant housing provides areservoir for pressurized air that is delivered to one or more swimmersby use of flexible air hoses. A battery powered air compressor and motorto produce the pressurized air is positioned within the submersiblehousing. An air intake for the air compressor receives air by a snorkel,the snorkel stores in a second position suitable for use as a handlewhile towing the apparatus on wheels. A rechargeable battery ispositioned within the submersible housing to power the air compressorwith cycling provided by use of a pressure switch. The rechargeablebattery and air compressor operate as ballast within the submersiblehousing. The housings include bracket assemblies to provide handholdsabove and below the surface of the water.

A TWENTIETH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office, Publication No. 2009/0136301,Published on May 28, 2009, to Carmichael teaches an active controlreleasable ballast system for dive equipment which in one embodimentincludes a removable pocket that is secured with a side release bucklewithin a fixed pocket. The buckle is required to be opened before theweight contained in the pocket can be dropped or given to anotherindividual in or out of the water. Thus, the release of the weights is aconscious and deliberate act.

A TWENTY-FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Publication No. 2009/0295522,Published on Dec. 3, 2009, to Fullerton et al. teaches a compressed gassystem component coupling device and method that use correlated magnetsto enable a first component to be secured and removed from the secondcomponent. Some examples of components of the compressed gas systeminclude a first stage regulator, a second stage regulator, an airpressure gauge, a dive computer, an air hose, a tank valve and abuoyancy control device. Furthermore the compression force created bythe correlated magnets mounted on the first and second components createa hermetic seal therebetween.

It is apparent now that numerous innovations for have been provided inthe prior art that are adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, eventhough these innovations may be suitable for the specific individualpurposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitablefor the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a quick releaseconnector that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.

ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a quick releaseconnector that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a quickrelease connector that is simple to use.

BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is toprovide a quick release connector which comprises a flat plate having aflat arm extending upwardly therefrom. A mechanism on the flat plate isfor securing the flat plate to a buoyancy compensator waist strap. Amechanism on the flat arm of the flat plate is for removably attaching avalve block thereto.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the presentinvention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,however, both as to its construction and its method of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of the specific embodimentswhen read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The FIGS. 1-5 of the drawings are briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of an embodiment of thepresent invention in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the present invention per se,showing the second housing member inserted into the first housingmember;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing the secondhousing member removed from the first housing member;

FIG. 4 is a front view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the present invention per se,showing the diver carrying the dive valve quick release.

REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING

110 quick release connector112 flat plate of connector 110114 flat arm of flat plate 112116 securing mechanism of connector 110118 waist strap or belly belt122 removably attaching mechanism of connector 110124 valve block126 flat bar of securing mechanism 116128 fastener of securing mechanism 116130 first housing member of removably attaching mechanism 122132 front slot in first housing member 130134 fastener of removably attaching mechanism 122136 spring loaded pull pin of removably attaching mechanism 122138 side of first housing member 130140 second housing member of removably attaching mechanism 122142 recess in side 144144 side of second housing member 140146 fastener of removably attaching mechanism 122148 rear surface of the valve block 124150 stainless steel metal152 high tensile base plastic material154 first low pressure hose156 one way check valve of valve block 124158 second low pressure hose160 knob assembly of valve block 124162 third low pressure hose164 dry suit inflator hose

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate likeparts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, and as such, will bediscussed with reference thereto.

The present invention is a quick release connector 110 which comprises aflat plate 112 having a flat arm 114 extending upwardly therefrom. InFIGS. 1-2, a mechanism 116 on the flat plate 112 is for securing theflat plate 112 to a buoyancy compensator waist strap 118. A mechanism122 on the flat arm 114 of the flat plate 112 is for removably attachinga valve block 124 thereto.

The securing mechanism 116 comprises a pair of flat bars 126. Aplurality of fasteners 128 affix the flat bars 126 in spaced apartrelationships onto the flat plate 112, whereby the waist strap 118 canbe inserted between the flat bars 126 and the flat plate 112.

In FIG. 3, the removably attaching mechanism 122 comprises a firsthousing member 130 having a front slot 132 therein. A first set offasteners 134 affix the first housing member 130 onto the flat arm 114of the flat plate 112. A spring loaded pull pin 136 is carried in oneside 138 of the first housing member 130. A second housing member 140has a recess 142 in one side 144 thereof. The second housing member 140is sized to slide fit into the front slot 132 in the first housingmember 130. The spring loaded pull pin 136 can engage with the recess142 in the second housing 140 member to retain and release the secondhousing member 140.

A second set of fasteners 146 affix the second housing member 140 onto arear surface 148 of the valve block 124.

The flat plate 122, the pair of flat bars 126 and the plurality offasteners 128 are comprised out of stainless steel metal 150. The springloaded pull pin 136, the first set of fasteners 134 and the second setof fasteners 146 are also comprised out of the stainless steel metal150. The first housing member 130 and the second housing member 140 arecomprised out of high tensile base plastic material 152.

In summary the quick release connector 110 attaches the valve block 124in a removable manner to the waist strap 118 (or belly belt). Bymanually pulling the spring loaded pull pin 136 the second housingmember 140 attached to the valve block 124 will separate from the firsthousing member 130, thereby allowing easy removal therefrom. The valveblock 124 mounted to the second housing member 140 is removably attachedto the first housing member 130 on the flat arm 114 of the flat plate112 which is connected to the waist strap 118.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-5, a first low pressure hose 154 from a mainscuba tank (not shown), is coupled to a one way check valve 156 that ispart of the valve block 124. A second low pressure hose 158 from anemergency bailout scuba tank (not shown), is coupled to a knob assembly160 that is part of the valve block 124. A third low pressure hose 162to a dive mask (not shown), is coupled directly to the valve block 124.A dry suit inflator hose 164 is also coupled directly to the valve block124.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofconstructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodiments ofa quick release connector, accordingly it is not limited to the detailsshown, since it will be understood that various omissions,modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of thedevice illustrated and its operation can be made by those skilled in theart without departing in any way from the spirit of the presentinvention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge,readily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitutecharacteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

1. A dive valve quick release connector which comprises: a) a flat platehaving a flat arm extending upwardly therefrom; b) means on the flatplate for securing the flat plate to a buoyancy compensator waist strap;and c) means on the flat arm of the flat plate for removably attaching avalve block thereto.
 2. The quick release connector as recited in claim1, wherein the securing means comprises: a) a pair of flat bars; and b)a plurality of fasteners to affix the flat bars in spaced apartrelationships onto the flat plate, whereby the waist strap can beinserted between the flat bars and the flat plate.
 3. The quick releaseconnector as recited in claim 1, wherein the removably attaching meanscomprises: a) a first housing member having a front slot therein; b) afirst set of fasteners to affix the first housing member onto the flatarm of the flat plate; c) a spring loaded pull pin carried in one sideof the first housing member; d) a second housing member having a recessin one side thereof, wherein the second housing member is sized to slidefit into the front slot in the first housing member, so that the springloaded pull pin can engage with the recess in the second housing memberto retain and release the second housing member; and e) a second set offasteners to affix the second housing member onto a rear surface of thevalve block.
 4. The quick release connector as recited in claim 2,wherein the flat plate, the pair of flat bars and the plurality offasteners are comprised out of stainless steel metal.
 5. The quickrelease connector as recited in claim 3, wherein the spring loaded pullpin, the first set of fasteners and the second set of fasteners arecomprised out of stainless steel metal.
 6. The quick release connectoras recited in claim 3, wherein the first housing member and the secondhousing member are comprised out of high tensile base plastic material.7. The quick release connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the valveblock is connected to: a first low pressure hose from a main scuba tankvia a one way check valve; a second low pressure hose from an emergencybailout scuba tank; a knob assembly; a third low pressure hose to a divemask, and a dry suit inflator hose.